Jamaican athletes visit University of Birmingham

The University of Birmingham welcomed back the  Jamaican team, including the 2011 youngest 100m world champion, Yohan Blake, and in-form 100m and 200m Olympic Champion from Rio, Elaine Thompson.

The facilities used in 2012 have been replaced, so the Jamaican team return to a brand new eight-lane athletics track and the University’s extensive new £55million Sport & Fitness Club, which opened in May.

Director of Sport at the University, Zena Wooldridge OBE said: “In 2012 between the University and the city we set a new bar for training camps. With this camp we want to set that bar higher still.

“We are delighted to be hosting a Jamaican team that is packed with talent and capable not only of winning medals, but breaking records.”

First Vice President of the Jamaican team, Ian Forbes, said: “The University of Birmingham has tremendous facilities. The accommodation, hospitality and welcome has been excellent and the new Sport and Fitness Centre is second to none. Many thanks to the University and Birmingham City Council along with others who have made this camp a success.”

Jamaican World Champion hurdler Danielle Williams, looking to defend her 2015 100m title, talked about the high quality of facilities available to the athletes. She said: “The new track facilities are great. It’s a fast track; definitely a sprinter’s track.”